Course Details

Clinic Practice: Center on Wrongful Convictions

Students in this clinic section will participate in the Center on Wrongful Convictions' (CWC's) representation of imprisoned clients who were convicted of serious crimes and have compelling claims of innocence.
This course emphasizes teamwork and collaboration, and students typically work in groups of two or more and meet weekly outside of class on individual cases. Case work may include: visiting and counseling incarcerated clients, interviewing witnesses and other field investigation, legal or forensic science research, and drafting court documents. Qualifying students may appear in court as permitted by Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711.
Weekly class time is devoted to guest lectures by criminal justice leaders and experts, discussion of post-conviction litigation, skills development, and visits by former CWC clients exonerated in high-profile cases.